While delivering a speech at a packed theatre at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, Michael Kors was interrupted by over 20 protestors who took to the stage and balcony, while chanting and playing sounds of animals being killed for fur. Similarly, the brand’s runway shows and storefronts are no stranger to ruckus caused by PETA activists and animal rights supporters.
This changes in 2018. Moving forward, Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo—which Michael Kors Holdings Limited acquired in July 2017—will no longer use animal fur in their collections. “This decision marks a new chapter as our company continues to evolve its use of innovative materials,” announced John D. Idol, the company’s chairman and CEO.
“With the advances in faux fur and the introduction of other innovative materials, it’s becoming clear that there is simply no reason to continue using a product that causes so much pain and suffering,” said the president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, Wayne Pacelle. “If a company chooses to retain the look and feel of fur, it can do so without contributing to cruelty.” Designer Michael Kors agrees: “Due to technological advances in fabrications, we now have the ability to create a luxe aesthetic using non-animal fur. We will showcase these new techniques in our upcoming runway show in February.” Usage of fur will be phased out of production by the end of December 2018.
The commitment echoes the recent move by Gucci, who adopted an anti-fur policy last October; and places the company amongst like-minded labels such as Calvin Klein, Stella McCartney and Ralph Lauren.
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